Hey there, awesome readers!
If you’ve been following my writing journey, or even just laughing with (or at) my blog and social posts, you know I’m all about sharing the chaos of life in the most relatable way possible. And let’s be honest: life as a single mom can sometimes feel like an Olympic event… without the cheering crowd and shiny medals.
Writing SUPERWOMAN: A Funny and Reflective Look at Single Motherhood wasn’t just about telling my story. It was about achieving three things.
First, I wanted to remind single moms that they’re not alone. This is because alone is precisely how I felt when my kids were little and still mine. Other things I felt were doubtful (am I being too strict?), guilt (am I giving them enough?), and overwhelmed (where is all this laundry coming from???).
Secondly, the humour in SUPERWOMAN is meant to help moms find joy in the chaos. Now that I’m on THIS side of the single parenting journey (my kids are now young adults), I look back and realize that even when I was right in the middle of the madness, finding humour in the day-to-day of my circumstances was my superpower. It was laugh or cry; make light or get lost in the overwhelm. I chose to laugh.
Last but definitely not least, I wanted to encourage single moms to remember their dreams, goals, and aspirations. I speak from experience when I say that the saddest thing in the world is forgotten potential. This was me once upon a long time ago: completely forgetting about my passion for writing and dream to connect with readers in a meaningful way.
Yes, being a parent is the most important role we can play in another’s life. That said, life is NOT just about kids, bills, and laundry. And obeying our dreams by following them and taking the steps to achieve them gives us a sense of purpose that’s greater than ourselves. You already know this but I’ll say it anyway: a happy mom makes a better parent.
Living the dream
Here’s the thing about being an author: you begin by imagining your book in readers’ hands, hearts, and… yes, bookstores. Seeing my book on Indigo’s shelves has been a full-circle moment. It’s a blend of hard work, stubbornness, and many early mornings fueled by caffeine (my muse of choice).
But let me tell you, the journey has not exactly been a straight line. It involved a lot of pitching, a lot of “constructive criticism” (read: rejections), and more than a few moments of questioning if I should just give up and, with all my experience in the laundry department, open a laundromat. Spoiler alert: I didn’t.
The moment of magic
Fast forward to today, and SUPERWOMAN is sitting on the shelves of Indigo Pointe Claire. The first time I saw it I did a not-so-subtle happy dance in the aisle. Picture someone trying to quietly freak out while holding back tears of joy. It was a scene. And, yes. I did get a few awkward glances, but I didn’t care.
And here’s the thing. (Of course there’s a thing. There’s always a thing.) It’s humbling to know that this book, which is basically my soul on paper, has a spot in a store that supports local authors like me. And it’s even more humbling to see people (that’s you!) reading it, relating to it, and sharing it.
What SUPERWOMAN is and what it’s not
Let’s start with what SUPERWOMAN is not: it’s not a man-bashing book. You couldn’t even bash your ex across the head with it. This is because it’s a light read. Don’t get me wrong. Even though it’s an easy read from start to finish, it still talks about some heavy topics. From the table of contents we’ve got:
A mother’s sixth sense – that damn sense of guilt
Have you ever been bitten in the ass by your own decisions?
Dating as a single mom; or, How I may have mistaken a few life lessons for soul mates
But SUPERWOMAN isn’t just my story. I also interviewed other single moms across Canada and the U.S. who were gracious enough to share their stories. Like Wendy from Quebec who tells the story of how she went from happily married to single with two daughters.
“I think it’s very important to always keep in mind the journey you had when you made that child with somebody. And even though you’re not together anymore, and you’re a single mom, you have to keep it in perspective,” Wendy explains. “I’ve always told my girls that even though their father and I are no longer together, they really were made with love. We really, really wanted children.”
And then there’s Virginia from Florida who shares her story of being a teenage mother and how she hid her pregnancy so that she could continue her education.
“You couldn’t be pregnant in the program, so I had to hide it. I hid my pregnancy from the public and from myself,” Virginia admits today. “I realize now that I was having trouble coming to terms with the fact that I was going to have a baby.”
Support your local bookstore
So, here’s my shameless but heartfelt plea: Support your local bookstore! When you buy SUPERWOMAN (or any book, really) from a local shop, you’re not just buying someone’s soul bound between two covers. You’re supporting dreams. You’re encouraging an insatiable passion. You’re giving a thumbs up to all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into creating something worthy of your attention.
If you’re near Pointe Claire, swing by Indigo, grab a copy of SUPERWOMAN, and maybe check out their cozy reading blankets (because who doesn’t love a little coziness in February?). And if you’ve already read the book, reach out! I’d love to hear your thoughts or, better yet, see a photo of it in your hands!
Where can you find it in the store? Well, apparently my book is so talented that it’s pulling double duty. It’s hanging out in both the Humour section (because, obviously) and Local Authors section (because, well, I live here.) It’s basically the overachiever of books!
And if you enjoy it, PLEEEEAAAAASE leave a review. Reviews are gold for authors.
Thank you, from the bottom of my (humbled and grateful) heart
To everyone who’s supported me, from sharing my blog posts to showing up at book signings, you’re the real superheroes. Here’s to more laughter, more storytelling, and more dreams that somehow, some way, find their place on the shelves.
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